Bragg Announces US$7 Million Secured Note Financing

Rhea-AI Summary

Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (NASDAQ: BRAG, TSX: BRAG) announced the issuance of a US$7 million secured promissory note to entities controlled by Doug Fallon, providing flexibility for strategic initiatives. The Note bears interest at 14% and matures in 2025, with plans to enhance shareholder value and leverage market opportunities.

Positive

• The issuance of a US$7 million secured promissory note provides Bragg Gaming Group Inc. with additional financial flexibility.
• The Note, maturing in 2025 and bearing a 14% interest rate, was issued to entities controlled by Doug Fallon, facilitating strategic initiatives.
• The Company aims to maximize shareholder value and capitalize on market opportunities with the proceeds from the Note.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Bragg Gaming Group Inc.'s recent issuance of a $7 million secured promissory note signals a strategic move to enhance liquidity, which is a matter of interest for any stakeholder tracking the company's financial health. The note carries a relatively high annual interest rate of 14%, payable quarterly, suggesting the company's willingness to incur higher costs for capital. This rate exceeds typical corporate bond yields, indicative of either the company's risk profile or a strategic choice made in a high-interest environment. The note's maturity date in 2025 offers a middle-term financial commitment for the company, striking a balance between immediate capital needs and future debt obligations. Investors should note that the proceeds are earmarked for general working capital and strategic initiatives, suggesting potential growth or restructuring efforts on the horizon. With the decision to waive the standard 21-day filing period for material change due to the related party nature of the transaction, shareholders should closely observe future strategic initiatives and related-party transactions for signs of how this capital will be deployed and the potential impacts on shareholder value.

Corporate Governance Expert

A related-party transaction of this magnitude necessitates scrutiny on corporate governance practices. The issuance of the Note to entities controlled by a senior officer of the company underscores a significant decision that investors should monitor in the context of transparency and minority shareholder interests. The exemptions from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements, as permitted under MI 61-101 provisions, are within legal boundaries; however, they necessitate a deeper look into the board's rationale and the conditions offered. It is essential that these terms are indeed comparable to what could be expected in an arm's length transaction to ensure that the interests of all shareholders are safeguarded. Board unanimity in approving the transaction does lend some support, although it does not substitute for a thorough independent analysis of the fair market value and the decision to forego the usual 21-day advance notice for such related-party dealings.

Market Research Analyst

Investors should contextualize the broader iGaming industry landscape when evaluating Bragg's financial maneuver. The sector is competitive, with rising demand in North America, Europe and LatAm as highlighted by the company. Bragg's product mix, including their PAM platform, Fuze™ offerings and content portfolio, is designed to tailor to different market needs. The financing could be interpreted as a move to safeguard its competitive positioning through further development or marketing of these assets. Although the company cites a consecutive full year of revenue and EBITDA growth, the high borrowing costs may reflect perceived industry risks or an aggressive expansion strategy. Investors with interests in tech and content-driven markets should assess Bragg's future announcements for tangible outcomes from this financing that could indicate the effectiveness of their strategic moves within the dynamic iGaming industry.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (NASDAQ: BRAG, TSX: BRAG) (“Bragg” or the “Company”), a global B2B gaming technology and content provider, today announced the issuance of a secured promissory note in the principal amount of US$7 million (the “Note”) to certain entities controlled by Doug Fallon, Managing Director of Group Content of the Company and the Founder of Nevada-based Wild Streak Gaming. The Note matures on April 25, 2025 and bears interest at an annual rate of 14%, payable quarterly.

“This financing provides the Company’s balance sheet with additional flexibility as we continue to review strategic alternatives for maximizing shareholder value and execute against our strategy,” said Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer. “We would also like to thank The Lind Partners for their cooperation in providing a waiver consenting to the Note funding”.

“After reporting another consecutive full year of strong revenue, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2023, we are exceptionally well placed to capitalize on our in-demand content, product and technology verticals in major iGaming markets in North America, Europe and LatAm. From our market-leading player account management (“PAM”) platform and turnkey solutions to our unique casino content aggregation offering with Fuze™ promotional functionality and player journey management, as well as our ever-growing exclusive content portfolio, our product strategies are refined for each market we operate in.”

The Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) has conditionally approved the issuance of the Note. The Company may use the net proceeds from the Note for general working capital purposes and strategic initiatives.

MI 61-101 Disclosure

Doug Fallon is a related party to the Company as he is a senior officer of the Company. The issuance of the Note is considered to be a “related party transaction” for purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). The Company is relying on the exemption from the formal valuation requirement in section 5.4 of MI 61-101 in reliance on section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 as at the time the Note was agreed to, neither the fair market value of the Note, nor the fair market value of the consideration payable to the lenders under the Note exceeds 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. Additionally, the Company is relying on the exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement in section 5.6 of MI 61-101 in reliance on section 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101 as the Note constitutes a loan being provided on reasonable commercial terms that are not less advantageous to the Company than would be obtained from a person dealing at arm’s length with the Company, and the Note is neither convertible into equity or voting securities of the Company nor repayable, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of the Company.

The Company notes that the issuance of the Note is occurring concurrently with this announcement and that it will not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the issuance of the Note. The Company deems this circumstance reasonable in order to complete the issuance of the Note in an expeditious manner. The issuance of the Note has been unanimously approved by the Company’s board of directors.

About Bragg Gaming Group Inc.

Bragg Gaming Group (NASDAQ: BRAG, TSX: BRAG) is a content-driven iGaming technology provider, serving online and land-based gaming operators with its proprietary and exclusive content, and its cutting-edge technology. Bragg Studios offer high-performing, data-driven and passionately crafted casino gaming titles from in-house brands Wild Streak Gaming, Spin Games, Atomic Slot Lab, Indigo Magic and Oryx Gaming. Its proprietary content portfolio is complemented by a range of exclusive titles from carefully selected studio partners which are Powered By Bragg: games built on Bragg remote games server technology, distributed via the Bragg Hub content delivery platform and available exclusively to Bragg’s customers. Bragg’s modern and flexible omnichannel PAM platform powers multiple leading iCasino and sports betting brands and is supported by expert in-house managed operational and marketing services. All content delivered via the Bragg Hub, whether exclusive or from Bragg’s large, aggregated games portfolio, is managed from a single back-office and is supported by powerful data analytics tools, as well as Bragg’s Fuze™ player engagement toolset. Bragg is licensed or otherwise certified, approved and operational in multiple regulated iCasino markets globally, including in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ontario, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Malta and Colombia. Find out more here.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this press release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2024, which is available at www.sedarplus.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240426007266/en/

For Bragg Gaming Group Inc., please contact:

Yaniv Spielberg

Chief Strategy Officer

Bragg Gaming Group Inc.

info@bragg.games

James Carbonara

Hayden IR

(646)-755-7412

james@haydenir.com

Source: Bragg Gaming Group Inc.

FAQ

What is the principal amount of the secured promissory note issued by Bragg Gaming Group Inc.?

The principal amount of the secured promissory note is US$7 million.

Who is the Managing Director of Group Content at Bragg Gaming Group Inc.?

Doug Fallon is the Managing Director of Group Content at Bragg Gaming Group Inc.

What is the interest rate on the promissory note issued by Bragg Gaming Group Inc.?

The promissory note bears interest at an annual rate of 14%, payable quarterly.

When does the promissory note issued by Bragg Gaming Group Inc. mature?

The promissory note matures on April 25, 2025.

What is the intended use of the net proceeds from the promissory note issued by Bragg Gaming Group Inc.?

The net proceeds from the promissory note may be used for general working capital purposes and strategic initiatives.